FOX ends affiliation with WTVW

EVANSVILLE - For the first time since the great switch of 1995, which saw three Tri-State television stations change affiliations, another change is getting under way.

On Tuesday, the FOX television network announced that it has pulled its affiliation from Nexstar-owned WTVW-Fox 7 and has signed an agreement with Communications Corp. of America (ComCorp), the owner of CBS44 and My44 WEVV. A statement from FOX (which can be read in its entirety at jakesdtvblog.blogspot.com) indicates Fox programming will move to what is now My44 (ch 44.2), and, effective July 1, the channel will be rebranded as "My Fox 44."

CBS44's programming will remain as it is.

Nexstar and FOX had been at odds concerning the terms of a new affiliation agreement, according to industry publication Broadcasting & Cable. WTVW's existing contract with FOX expired in June 2010. Just Tuesday morning, Nexstar president and CEO Perry Sook said while discussing the company's first-quarter financial results that there had been no breakthrough in negotiations.

The network has been expanding its reach using what is known in the TV industry as "D2s," which is short for digital subchannels. WBKO-TV in Bowling Green, Ky., an ABC affiliate, has carried FOX programming in this way for several years.

WEVV General Manager Tim Black says FOX programming will air from 7 to 9 p.m. each weeknight, and MyNetwork TV programming, which now airs in that time period, will continue to air, but will instead run from 9 to 11, two hours later than it does presently.

The switch also means that WEVV will carry both FOX- and CBS-broadcast NFL football games starting this fall, provided the league and players reach a new collective bargaining agreement. FOX's other sports programming, including Major League Baseball and NASCAR, will also make the move.

"We are delighted to have (WEVV) join FOX's family of more than 200 affiliates," said Jon Hookstratten, FOX's executive vice president for network distribution. "ComCorp stations have been strong FOX affiliates in Texas and Louisiana since the network launched 25 years ago, and the station group has a proven track record for providing local viewers with outstanding programming and community service."

ComCorp's president and CEO, Steve Pruett, said his company is proud to bring FOX programming back to its air.

"We're pleased to bring FOX's excellent lineup of sports and entertainment programming back to Channel 44," Pruett said. "We look forward to continuing to build the FOX franchise in Evansville on WEVV."

It w as unclear Tuesday evening what programming would appear in WTVW after the switch. Messages left for WTVW general manager Mike Smith seeking further information were not been returned.